Button-remover.



j. D. FREEMAN.

BUTTON REMO'VER.

' APPLICATION FILED luNE lo. 19|5.

1,1 53,904. Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHED l.

A TTOH/VE YS 3. D. FREEMAN.

BUTTON REMOVER.

APPLICATION FILED IuNE Io. I9I5.

1,158190@ Patented sept. 21, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEEI 2.

A TTOH/VE YS COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

prrr.

JAMES D. FREEMAN, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-THIRD TO JOI-IN F. MUFEIIEY, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

BUTTON-REMOVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

T 0 all whom t may concern Be it known that I, JAMES D. FREEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in `Button- Removers, of which the following is a speciflcation.

This invention relates to improvements in button removers.

My improved button remover is especially designed by me for removing shoe buttons, although readily adapted .for removing other buttons. v

I have shown my improvements as I have embodied them for removing` shoe buttons, the structure illustrated being especially designed for removing buttons attached by staples although it is also adapted for use in removing buttons attached by thread.

The mainV object of my invention is to provide an improved button remover by means of which buttons may be quickly and easily removed without injury to the leather or fabric or to the button.

.Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is aside view of a structure embodying the features of my invention. Fig.

II is an inverted detail view of the jaw end of the device. Fig. III is an enlarged detail central longitudinal section. Fig. IV is ay detail longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 4 4 of Fig. V. Fig. V is a detail vertical transverse section corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. III. Fig. VI is a plan view of the blank for the lower jaw and its handle. Fig. VII is a plan View of the blank for the upper jaw and its handle. Fig. VIII is a perspective view of the staple holding member and its carrying arm. Fig. IX is a plan view of the tongue. Fig. X is a front end view showing the jaws engaged upon a button preparatory to removing the same. Fig. XI is an end view with the jaws partially open. Fig. XII is a similar view with the jaws further opened, showing the staple substantially withdrawn and the relation of the staple holding member thereto. Fig. XIII is a detail front end view similar to that ofFig. XII, showing a slight modication in the staple holding member.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, I provide a pair of jaws 1 and 2 having handles 3 and l respectively. The jaws and their handles are, in practice, formed integrally and are preferably metal stampings, the forms of the blanks being shown in Figs. VI and VII.

The lower jaw 1 is provided with upwardly projecting side flanges 5, while the upper jaw 2 is provided with downwardly projecting side flanges 6 disposed between the flanges 5k of the lower jaw and pivotally mounted thereon by means of the pivot 7 the jaws having registering holes 8 and 9 respectively for the pivot. The handles are channel-shaped in cross section, the flange portions of the handles beingcontinuations or extensions of the flanges on the sides of the jaws. The lower jaw is provided with a longitudinal T-shaped slot l0 adapted to receive the eye of a button, the cross portion 11 of the slot being adapted to receive the staple of the button. The side flanges 6 of the upper jaw have intnrned button engaging portions 12, the edges of these portions being spaced to form a slot adapted to receive the eye of a button, as clearly shown vin Figs. X, XI, and XII.

A tongue 13 is arranged between the flanges of the lower jaw 1 to slide longitudinally thereon. The tongue is supported laterally by the side flanges. The tongue is provided with a tapered or wedge-shaped portion 14C at its forwardy end having a central notch 15 therein.

The tongue is slidably retained on the lower jaw by means of the lugs 16 struck in from the lower jaw and spaced from the bottomY of the jaw so that the tongue slides freely on the jaw but is prevented from raisvet() ing. The tongue has opposed side notches 17 with which the lugs 1S on the side flanges of the upper' jaw engage so that the tongue is reciprocated or moved back and forth on the jaw as the upperj aw is oscillated on its pivot. f

The front end of the tongue is preferably beveled off' as shown in Fig. XII.

A, staple holding member 19 adapted to engage the staple and insure its drawing evenly from the leather or fabric is proby; the blade spring 23 which is secured at the end of the handle a of the upper jaw. The spring is preferably secured to the upper handle by inserting one end under the outer pair of lugs 24E and resting or fulcruming against the inner pair of Llugs 25. The lower end of the spring rests against the bowed portion of the arm 21, a lug 2G being l struck up to engage the spring so that the staple holding member is retracted when the jaws are closed. The spring 23 serves also to normally keep the aws closed.

In operating the device it is engaged with a button by slipping the jaws under the button until the staple lies under the cross portion 11 of the slot 10 and the button is within the upper jaw with its eye between the button engaging members 12 of the upper jaw, see Fig. X. y The jaws are then opened, which draws the staple.l This opening movement of the jaws projects the tongue 15 under the staple across the slot of the lower jaw supporting the fabric so that it does not draw into the slot and assists in drawing the staple which opens, as is indicated in the drawing, and is withdrawn without tearing or injuring the leather or fabric. As the jaws are separated the staple engaging member is actuated, which brings its fingers above the staple, preventing its slipping through the eye of the button and insuring thatboth ends of the staple are drawn out of the fabric. The device is also adapted for use in removing sewed buttons and is engaged therewith in the same manner asdescribed. In removing sewed i buttons the threads are out and broken by the tongue and the pulling strain.

l/Vith the 'aid of my improved removing devicestapled or other buttons may be removed very expeditiously and without danger of tearing the leather or fabric..

In thermodification shown in Iig. XIII,

the fingers 19 of the staple holding member fingers of the staple lholding members as` sist in withdrawing the staple and protect the eye of the button somewhat. At the same time they effectively hold the staple and prevent its drawing out unevenly.

I have illustrated and described my improved button remover in the embodiment preferred by me.

I have not attempted to illustrate or des scribe various modifications in structural details which I contemplate as I believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to embody or adapt the same as may be desired. I v desire, however, to be understood as claiming my improvements specifically in the form illustrated as well as broadly within the scope of the appended claims.

I-Taving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let- Vters Patent, is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of jaws provided with channel-shaped handles and slottedY to Yreceive the shanlr of a button,the slot of the lower jaw being T-shaped, saidl lower jaw having upwardly projecting sideflanges between which the upper jaw is disposed, said upper jaw having downwardly projecting side flanges with inturned button engaging members spaced to form the shank slot of the upper j aw, a jaw pivot disposed through said side fianges Vof said jaws, a wedgeshaped tongue having a central notch inV its forward end slidably mounted on the lower jaw between its said side flanges and supported laterally thereby, said lower jaw having inwardly projecting retaining lugs disposed above said tongue, said tongue having opposed side notches and said upper jaw having lugs on its side flanges engaging said notches whereby the tongue is reciprocated by the rocking ofthe aws on their pivot, a staple holding member having forwardly projecting fingers adapted to engage the top of a staple, said fingers being beveled on their under sides and converged vrearwardly on their inner sides,'said member being provided withv an upwardly projecting shank adapted to slide between the button engaging members of the upper jaw, a bowed spring arm connected to said shank of said staple. holding member and provided with a shoeportion at its rear end slidably disposed within the handle of the lower jaw, and a spring mounted on the handle of the upper jaw to engage said armwhereby said sta-ple holding member is moved forwardly y as the jaws Vare separated and retracted y'as they are closed, said spring being also adapted to close said jaws.

2. 1n a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of jaws provided with handles and slotted to receive the shank of a button, the slot of the lower jaw being T-shaped, said lower jaw having upwardly projecting side flanges between which the upper jaw is disposed, said upper jaw having downwardly projecting side flanges with inturned button engaging members spaced to form the shank slot of the upper aw, a jaw pivot disposed through said side flanges of said jaws, a wedge-shaped tongue having a central notch in its forward end slidably mounted on the lower jaw between its said side flanges and supported laterally thereby, said lower jaw having inwardly projecting retaining lugs disposed above said tongue, said tongue having opposed side notches and said upper jaw having lugs on its side flanges engaging said notches whereby the tongue is reciprocated by the rocking of the jaws on their pivot, a staple holding member having forwardly projecting fingers adapted to engage the top A of a staple, said member being provided with an upwardly projecting shank adapted to slide between the button engaging members of the upper jaw, a bowed spring arm connected to said shank of said staple holding member, and a springmounted on the handle of the upper jaw to engage said arm whereby said staple holding member is moved forwardly as the jaws are separated and retracted as they are closed, said spring being also adapted to close said jaws.

3. 1n a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of jaws provided with handles and slotted to receive the shank of a button, the slot of the lower jaw being T-shaped, said lower jaw having upwardly projecting side flanges between which the upper jaw is disposed, said upper jaw having downwardly projecting side flanges with inturned button engaging members spaced to form the shank slot of the upper j aw, a jaw pivot disposed through said side flanges of said jaws, and a wedgeshaped tongue having a central notch in its forward end slidably mounted on the lower jaw between its said side flanges and supported laterally thereby, said lower jaw having inwardly projecting retaining lugs disposed above said tongue, said tongue having opposed side notches and said upper jaw having lugs on its side flanges engaging said notches whereby the tongue isl reciprocated by the rocking the aws on their pivot.

l. .ln a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted jaws provided with handles and slotted to receive the shank of a button, said lower jaw having upwardly projecting side flanges between which the upper jaw is disposed, said upper jaw having downwardly projecting side flanges with inturned button engaging mem-- bers spaced to form the shank slot of the upper jaw, a tongue slidably mounted on the lower jaw to reciprocate across the slot thereof and operatively connected to said upper jaw so that the tongue is reciprocated by the rocking of the jaws on their pivot, a staple holding member having forwardly projecting fingers adapted to engage the top of a staple, said fingers being beveled on their under sides and converged rearwardly on their inner sides, said member being provided with an upwardly projecting shank adapted to slide between the button engaging members of the upper jaw, a bowed spring arm connected to said shank of said staple holding member and provided with a shoe portion at its rear end slidably disposed on the handle of the lower jaw, and a spring mounted on the handle of the upper jaw to engage said arm whereby said staple holding member is moved forwardly as the jaws are separated and retracted as they are closed, said spring being also adapted to close said jaws.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted jaws provided with handles and slotted to receive the shank of a button, said lower jaw having upwardly projecting side flanges between which the upper aw is disposed, said upper jaw having downwardly projecting side flanges with inturned button engaging members spaced to form the shank slot of the upper jaw, a tongue slidably mounted on the lower jaw to reciprocate across the slot thereof and operatively connected to said upper jaw so that the tongue is reciprocated by the rocking of the jaws on their pivot, a staple holding member having forwardly projecting fingers adapted to engage a staple, said member being provided with an upwardly projecting shank adapted to slide between the button engaging members of the upper jaw, an arm connected to said shank of said stapleholding member, and a spring mounted on the handle of the upper jaw to engage said arm whereby said staple holding member is moved forwardly as the jaws are separated and retracted as they are closed.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted jaws provided with handles and slotted to receive the shank of a button, a staple holding member having forwardly projecting fingers adapted to engage the top of a staple, 'said fingers being beveled on their under sides and converged rearwardly on their inner sides, said member being provided with an inwardly projecting shank adapted to reciprocate in the slot of the upper jaw, a bowed spring arm connected to said shank portion and having its rear end slidably disposed on the handle of the lower jaw, and a spring mounted on the handle of the upper jaw to engage said arm whereby said staple holding member is moved forwardly as thevjaws are separated and retracted 'as they are closed. f f

7. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted vj'aws provided with handles and slotted to receive the shank of a button, a staple holding member vhaving forwardly projecting ngers adapted to engage a staple, said member being provided with an inwardly projecting shank adapted to reciprocate in the slot of the upper jaw, a bowed spring arm connected to said shank portion and having its rear end slidably disposed on the handle of the lower' jaw, and a spring mounted on the handle of the upper vjaw to engage said arm whereby said staple holding member is moved forwardly as the jaws are separated and retracted as they are closed.

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted jaws slotted to receive the shank of a button, the slot of the lower jaw being T-shaped, a tongue slidably mounted on the lower jaw `to reciprocate across the slot thereof and slide under a staple and support the material as the staple is withdrawn therefrom, a reciprocating staple holding member having forwardly projecting fingers adapted to engage the top of a staple, said fingers being beveled on their under sides and converged rearwardly on their inner sides, saidy member being mounted to swing with said upper jaw, and means for reciprocating said tongue and staple holding member as the jaws are rocked on their pivots.

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted jaws slotted to receive the shank of a button, a tongue slidably mounted on the lower jaw to reciprocate across the slot thereof and slide under a staple and support the mate-y rial as the stapler is withdrawn therefrom, a reciprocating staple holding member having forwardly projecting lingers adapted to engage a staple, said member being mounted to swing with said upper jaw, and means for reciprocating said tongue and staple holding member as the jaws are rocked on `their pivots.

10. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of ay pair of pivoted jaws l adapted to receive the shank of a button, a tongue mounted on the lower jaw and adapted to 'move under a staple to support the material as the staple is withdrawn therefrom, a reciprocating staple holding member' mounted to swing with the upper jaw, and means for actuating said tongue and staple holding members as said jaws are opened.

11. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted jaws slotted to receive the shank of a button, a reciprocating staple holding member having forwardly projecting iingersadapted to enmounted to swing with said upper jaw, and

means for actuating said staple holding'A member as the jaws are opened.

13. In a structure'of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted jaws adapted to receive the shank of a button, a tongue mounted on the lower jaw and adapted to move under a staple tojsupport the material as the staple is withdrawn therefrom, and means for actuating said tongue as said jaws are opened. v

14. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivotally connected jaws provided with handles, the

lower jaw having a T-shaped slot open at the end of the jaw, said upper jaw having a longitudinal slot open at the end of the jaw, a tongue mounted .on the lower jaw to slide longitudinally across said slot thereof and below a staple, and means for actuating said tongue on the openingsof the jaws.

15. Ina structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of jaws movable toward and from each other, the lower jaw being slotted, the upper jaw being adapted to engage a button, a tongue, and means for sliding said tongue longitudinally across the slot in the lower jaw and below a staple when the jaws are separated.

1G. In a structure of the class described,

j the combination of a pair of jaws associated for movement toward and from each other, the lower jaw having a slot adapted to receive a staple, the upper jaw being adapted to engage a button, a sliding tongue arranged to slide under a staple to support the material as the staple is withdrawn therefrom, and means for actuating said tongue on the opening of the jaws.

17. In a structure of the class described, the combination 'of a pair of pivotally con-- nected jaws, the lower jaw having a slot adapted to receive a staple, the upper jaw having a slot adapted to receive the eye ofa button, a ltapered tongue provided with a central notch in its front end and supported for longitudinal sliding movement across the slot in said lower jaw, and means for actuating said tongue on the opening of the jaws.

18. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivotallyconnected jaws, the lower jaw having a slot adapted to receive the eye of a button, a tongue supported for longitudinal sliding movement over the slot in said lower jaw, and means for actuating said tongue on the opening of the jaws.

19. ln a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of jaws, the lower jaw being slotted, the upper jaw being adapted to engage a button, and a tongue operatively associated with the jaws for -sliding movement under a staple and across the slot of the lower jaw when the jaws are separated, all coacting forthe purpose specilied.

20. ln a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of jaws pivotally connected so that the lower jaw may rest against the work and the upper jaw swing therefrom to'draw the staple, the lower jaw having a slot adapted to receive the eye of a button, a tongue supported for sliding movement over the slot in the lower jaw, and means for projecting said tongue on the opening of the jaws to draw a staple.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES D. FREEMAN. [LA] Witnesses:

MARGARET L. GLAsGow, LUELLA G. GREENEJELD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

